Spot Micing Cymbals: Dynamic or Condenser?

[emerica167852]

Hey, what do you guys prefer for spot micing? I usually just spot mic hihat and china. Normally with dynamics, but im thinking of trying some condensers on them

 

[musickey]

I usualy use some small diaphragm condensers on hats, ride, china, and accent cymbals.

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

SM7 or an SDC for hi-hat, SDC for the rest of the spot cymbals. Stuff like KM184's, NT5's and such work great.

 

[chrisrivalry]

sm57 on the hats, mxl sdc on the ride(i know...) and depending on what kind of china they have, like if its a shitty wuhan or something similar i'll replace it, so just a random dynamic on it.

 

[emerica167852]

I would really love to try a 57 on cymbals. Too bad my only 57 is already taken on the snare.

 

[joelplagues]

Great thread

I'd love to hear some spot micing cymbal techniques from other people.

Here is mine:
I recently took a band to a large studio here in Brisbane where the head engineer/owner gave me a hand. He showed me the best way to get an even sounding cymbal sound when spot micing. Watch where the drummer hits the cymbal with the stick, now move the mic 90 degrees either side. Now you are micing the mid point of the cymbal rather than the rise and fall points of the cymbal.

 

[mva801]

Great thread

I'd love to hear some spot micing cymbal techniques from other people.

Here is mine:
I recently took a band to a large studio here in Brisbane where the head engineer/owner gave me a hand. He showed me the best way to get an even sounding cymbal sound when spot micing. Watch where the drummer hits the cymbal with the stick, now move the mic 90 degrees either side. Now you are micing the mid point of the cymbal rather than the rise and fall points of the cymbal.

Wait what? I don't get this. If you want to mic the middle of the cymbal, point it at the bell. The cymbal neither rises nor falls at the bell where it's attached to the stand. Are you talking about micing from the side instead of the top??

 

[joelplagues]

No still micing on top. It's so you get more of the cymbals body. Nothing beats experimenting yourself but thought I'd share this as it's a great starting point.

 

[Ermz]

Condensers for crashes, and maybe dynamics for hat and ride... maybe. SDCs are my go-to mics for cymbals, but you can take out some harshness with dynamics every once in a while.

I just did a drum session last week that involved all spot mic'd cymbals. No overheads to speak of.

 

[Lasse Lammert]

414 under ride, sm7 on hats, mk12 or m160 under china, km184s and mk12s for the rest.
Of course with spot mics only you don't wanna pan all the way L/R but spread them like they are set up on the kit

 

[Morgan C]

I tried this once, and while it worked quite nicely on hats, and decently on rides, all the crashes and splashes sounded really really bad. How far from the cymbals are you putting the mics?

 

[Ermz]

414 under ride, sm7 on hats, mk12 or m160 under china, km184s and mk12s for the rest.
Of course with spot mics only you don't wanna pan all the way L/R but spread them like they are set up on the kit

You mic China from the bottom? How's that working out for you, and where do you generally aim the mic?

 

[crillemannen]

414 under ride, sm7 on hats, mk12 or m160 under china, km184s and mk12s for the rest.
Of course with spot mics only you don't wanna pan all the way L/R but spread them like they are set up on the kit

+ 1

I always mic the HH from underneath. I usually use sm57 for HH

 

[Lasse Lammert]

You mic China from the bottom? How's that working out for you, and where do you generally aim the mic?

Gives more separation.
Usually aiming at the edge, distance really depends on the cymbal and the way it swings